Ruritania

[ roor-i-tey-nee-uh, roor-i-tey- ]

noun

1. a mythical, romantic kingdom conceived as the setting for a fairy tale, costume drama, comic operetta, or the like.
2. Facetious. any small, little-known country or region considered remote, backward, or exotic.

Ruritania

/ ˌrʊərɪˈteɪnɪə; -njə /

noun

1. an imaginary kingdom of central Europe: setting of several novels by English novelist Anthony Hope (1863–1933), esp The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
2. any setting of adventure, romance, and intrigue

Other Words From

• Ruri·tani·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ruritania¹

After the fictional Central European kingdom in the novel The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) by A. Hope

Example Sentences

It was, considering everything, a rotten thing for Ruritania to do.

From Project Gutenberg

With the King on one side and the duke on the other, Zenda felt itself the centre of all Ruritania.

From Project Gutenberg

What are the feelings of the captain of a Ruritania when he goes to the yards to take over a War Whistler?

From Project Gutenberg

Michael was dead, the Princess her cousin's wife, the story in safe keeping, and Mr. Rassendyll's face seen no more in Ruritania.

From Project Gutenberg

Sapt was not guilty of it, but his disappointment was bitter that all our efforts had secured no better ruler for Ruritania.

From Project Gutenberg